Boys Talk [antikvár]

1 It was springtime. The four boys came out of school together. They always did: Andy, Nick, Pete and Tony had been friends since they began in primary school. "Coming out tonight?" asked Andy. "Where to?" "Just out. Someone's put a rope on that old oak in the park. You can swing over the stream now." "Magic. See you down there." The friends broke up and went different ways. There was no need for more talk or firm arrangements. It was always like this - easygoing, friendly - explanations were never necessary. If you could come out, you did; if you couldn't, no one minded. After all, everyone had parents, so they all knew the kind of obstacles that were put in the way of their freedom. Pete's dad would decide to have an enquiry into homework occasionally and deliver one of his serious talks on growing-up and not always 'messing around doing nothing with the boys'. "Find something useful," he would say, "give a hand around the house". When he went in, his mother invariably said, "You're late, talking again I suppose, I don't know what you'll do when you really have to work." He was never quite sure if that was a question or an argument. Best to keep out of arguments and the best way to do that is to keep out of the house. * ¦ » Pete is just a typical boy growing up. You and your friends are all